Die lubricant spraying apparatus



Aug. 26, 1969 R. J. OTT

DIE LUBRICANT SPRAYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1967Aug. 26, 1969 R. J. OTT 3,463,399

DIE LUBRICANT SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed June 26, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3United States Patent 3,463,399 DIE LUBRICANT SPRAYING APPARATUS RichardJ. Ott, Baroda, Mich., assignor to Respond Inc., Baroda, Mich., acorporation of Michigan Filed June 26, 1967, Ser. No. 648,615 Int. Cl.Bb 3/ 18 US. Cl. 239-186 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There isdisclosed an apparatus including a readily replaceable manifold andspray head assembly for simultaneously delivering a plurality oflubricant sprays to predetermined areas of dies in a die castingmachine. The manifold and spray head assembly may be easily changed foradapting the system to different dies and for servicing. Lubricant andair control means are included for selectively delivering the fluid atthe desired time and for directing air blasts only against the dies forcooling purposes.

The present invention relates to a novel spray system, and morespecifically to a novel apparatus for delivering lubricant to dies in adie casting machine.

As will be understood, it is common practice to coat at least portionsof a die casting die or mold with a. release agent or lubricant in orderto facilitate removal of a cast workpiece without injury. Improperapplication of the lubricant can result in faulty workpieces.Furthermore, it is desirable that the lubricant be applied in theshortest possible time in order to permit a maximum production rate tobe achieved with a given die casting machine.

In my copending application, Ser. No. 540,874, filed Apr. 7, 1966, nowPatent No. 3,393,658, there is disclosed and claimed a spray systemwhich has proved to represent a significant advance in the art ofautomatically lubricating die casting dies. The present inventioncontemplates further significant improvements. In general, it is animportant object of the present invention to provide a novel spraysystem whereby production costs for die castings may befurther reduced,scrap may be further reduced, and production rates may be furtherincreased.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide anovel die lubricating apparatus which is constructed so that it may beadapted quickly and easily for lubricating different dies.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel dielubricating apparatus constructed so as to reduce release agent or dielubricant costs by eliminating any possibility of operator error and byspraying the lubricant only where needed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelautomatic die lubricating apparatus which is constructed so as to reducethe skill and time required for setup for different dies'which may beused in a die casting machine. I

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a noveldie lubricating apparatus constructed for improving the manner in whichdies are lubricated to such an extent that special dies for castingsheretofore considered to be impractical from a production standpoint maynow be used.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide anovel die lubricating apparatus of the above-described type which may beeconomically adapted for installation with relatively small high speeddie casting machines.

3,463,399 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 Other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following descriptionand the accompanyin g drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view showing a lubricating apparatusincorporating features of the present invention assembled in associationwith a die casting machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lubricating apparatusincorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partiallybroken away, showing a forward end portion of the lubricating apparatusof FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 inFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a manifold and spray headconstruction incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG; 7 is a fragmentary partial vertical sectional view showing aportion of the manifold and spray head construction; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts aredesignated by the same numerals through out the various figures, alubricating apparatus or system 10 incorporating features of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is adapted to be installed inassociation with a die casting machine 12. The die casting machine maybe of various known constructions and, in general, includes a stationaryplaten 14 and a movable platen 16 on which complementary dies 18 and 20are respectively mounted. A hydraulically actuated toggle mechanism 22is connected for shifting the movable platen between the open positionshown in FIG. 1 and a closed position in which the dies 18 and 20 are incooperative engagement. Metal to be cast is to be introduced through acylinder 24 and is forced into the dies by a hydraulically actuatedpiston 26 in a known manner.

The lubricating apparatus 10 may be adapted for mounting on connectingrods between the platens as is disclosed in the aforementioned copendingapplication Ser. No. 540,874. However, in the embodiment disclosedherein, the apparatus includes a stand 28 so that it may be positionedat any desired location on the floor adjacent the die casting machine asshown in FIG. 1. The stand comprises upstanding frame members 30 and 32which embrace and are welded or otherwise secured to elongatedhorizontal extending side members 34 and 36 of the lubricatingapparatus. The side frame members 34 and '36 are preferably formed fromsufliciently heavy sheet metal and respectively include upper marginalportions folded inwardly and providing flanges 38 and 40 respectivelydefining a longitudinally extending elongated slot 42 therebetween.

A fixed end member 44 is secured. between forward ends of the side framemembers 34 and 36 and a movable head or manifold 46 is disposedforwardly of the end member 44 and supported and actuated in the mannerdescribed below. The head member 46 is secured to and supported by rods48 and 50 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The rod 48 isconnected with a piston 52 slidably disposed within and actuated by adouble acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 54. The rod 50 acts aguide rod and is slidably supported and guided by a bear ing 56 mountedin a bushing 58 secured between the side frame members. The rods extendslidably through the fixed head member 44 so that when the piston 52 isactuated in one direction, the movable head is advanced from theretracted position shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to the extended position shownin FIG. 1.. When the piston is actuated in the opposite direction, themovable head is, of course, returned to its retracted position.

In accordance with the feature of the present invention, a manifold andspray head assembly or unit 60 is removably mounted on the movable heador manifold member 46. The unit 60 comprises a manifold srtucture 62 anda plurality of spray nozzles or heads 64 mounted at predeterminedlocations on the manifold structure. The assembly 60 is constructed sothat some of the spray heads 64 will direct the release agent orlubricant at predetermined areas of the die 18 while other of the sprayheads 64 extending from an opposite side of the manifold structure 62will direct the release agent toward predetermined areas of the die 20when, of course, the assembly is positioned between the dies as shown inFIG. 1. It will be be appreciated that the particular configuration ofthe manifold structure 62 and the particular number and arrangement ofthe spray heads 64 may be changed in accordance with the requirements ofa particular set of dies. More specifically, the construction andarrangement of the unit 60 is such that all portions of the die whichare to be lubricated will be sprayed simultaneously when the apparatushas actuated in the manner described below. The unit 60 is constructedso that it may be easily and quickly replaced with a different unitwhenever the dies in the die casting machine are changed.

In the particular embodiment shown, the manifold construction whichserves as an air manifold for the spray heads comprises a generallyrectangular tubular upstanding member 66 which is adapted to be securedagainst a front face 68 of the movable head or manifold block 46 byscrews 70 and 72. Tubes 74 and 76 are welded between aligned aperturesin opposite sides of the manifold section 66 for providing sealedpassageways for receiving the screws 70 and 72. The manifold structure62 further includes horizontally extending tubular sections 78 and 80communicating with and projecting outwardly from the section 66 andanother upstanding tubular section 82 communicating between intermediateportions of the sections 78 and 80.

The particular features of the construction of the spray head 64 do notform a part of the present invention and need not be described in detailherein. For a complete disclosure of these spray heads reference is madeto application Ser. No. 621,241 filed Mar. 7, 1967, now Patent No.3,394,888. It suffices to state herein that each of the spray headscomprises an air inlet fitting 84 which is threadedly or otherwisecoupled with a port formed at the desired location in a side wall of themanifold structure 62. In addition, each of the spray heads has alubricant or release agent inlet fitting 86 connected by a suitabletubing 88 to the manifold block 46. Liquid release agent or lubricant isdelivered to the manifold block 46 through a pipe or conduit 90 which isthreadedly or otherwise secured in an inlet port 92 in the manifoldblock or movable head and is adapted to reciprocate with the movablehead. A trailing end of the conduit or pipe is connected by a flexiblehose 94 with a suitable source of supply in the manner described below.The movable head or manifold block is formed with a passageway 96extending upwardly from the inlet port 92 as shown best in FIGS. 7 and8. The passageway 96 intersects a plurality of laterally extendingoutlet ports 98 which are respectively connected by fitting means 100with the various lengths of tubing 88 extending to the different sprayheads.

Air under pressure is delivered to the manifold structure 62 through apipe 102 which extends through an opening 104 in the manifold block orhead 46 and shown best in FIGS. 7 and 8. The air supply pipe 102 is alsofixed to the movable head 46 so as to reciprocate therewith and isconnected with a suitable source of air under pressure in the mannerdescribed below. A trailing end of the pipe 4 102 is supported alongwith the pipe and guide rod 50 by a plate 103 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In order to facilitate quick assembly and disassembly of the manifoldstructure 62, a quick disconnect coupling is provided between themanifold structure and the supply pipe 102. As shown in FIG. 7, an outerend 106 of the air pipe extends out of the manifold block 46 and throughan aperture 108 in the wall of the manifold structure. An O-ring 110 isclamped between the mating surfaces of the manifold structure and theblock 46 and around the end 106 of the pipe for sealing the connection.A recessed seat 111 may be formed in the block 46 for accommodating theO-ring.

In order to actuate the pneumatic cylinder 54 and control the sprayheads, the apparatus is provided with air and liquid lubricant supplycontrol means shown in FIGS. 2-5. This means comprises asolenoid-actuated air valve 115 having an inlet connected by a conduit117 to any suitable source of air under pressure. Preferably, the air ismaintained under a pressure of between 80 and 140 p.s.i. for insuringproper operation of the spray heads. An outlet of the valve 115 isconnected by a flexible hose or conduit 11 8 with a fitting 120 which isconnected to the trailing end of the air supply pipe 102. Thus, when thesolenoid 122 of the valve 115 is energized to open the valve, air underpressure will be delivered through the flexible hose 118 and pipe 120 tothe manifold structure 62 and thus simultaneously to all of the sprayheads.

The compressed air supply conduit 117 is also connected with a tube 124which communicates with an inlet of another valve 126 which iscontrolled by a solenoid 128. This valve, like all the valves includedin the system is of known construction and is commercially available.The valve 126 is a two-position valve and has a first outlet connectedthrough a fitting 130 and a flow control valve 132 with a T connector134. One branch of the T connector is connected by tubing 136 and afitting 138 with the forward end of the cylinder 54. An opposite portionof the T connector 134 is connected by tubing 140 with one port ofanother solenoid-operated valve 142 which has a second port connected bytubing 144 with the fitting 130. The arrangement is such that duringinitial forward movement of the piston 52 and thus the manifold andspray head assembly, air being ex hausted from the forward end of thecylinder 54 flows through the tubing 136, the fitting 134, the tubing140, the valve 142, the tubing 144, the fitting 130 and back into thevalve 126 from which it escapes through an exhaust port. The varioustubings, fittings and valve passageways in this portion of the circuitare formed so as to permit the air to exhaust freely for facilitatingrelatively rapid movement of the piston and thus relatively rapidfeeding movement of the spray head and manifold assembly prior to thebeginning of the actual spraying operation. When the spray head assemblyhas advanced to the desired position, the valve 142 is actuated in themanner described more in detail below so as to block the flow of airtherethrough so that the exhaust air must flow back through therestricted check valve 132. The restriction in this valve is such thatexhausting of the air is retarded and the feeding movement of the sprayhead and manifold assembly is reduced to a predetermined relatively slowrate during the actual spraying of the liquid lubricant or releaseagent.

The valve 126 has another outlet port connected by tubing 146 with afitting 148 which is in turn connected to the outer end of the cylinder54. When it is desired to advance the spray head and manifold assemblyfrom the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 to the extended positionshown in FIG. 1, the valve 126 is actuated so as to direct air underpressure through the tubing 146 to the outer end of the cylinder.Conversely, when it is desired to return the spray head and manifoldassembly to the retracted position, the valve 126 is actuated so as toconnect the tubing 146 with the exhaust port and so as to direct airunder pressure to the forward end of the cylinder 54. Since the air isdirected through the unrestricted passageway formed by the conduits 144,valve 142, tubing 140 and tubing 136, the retracting movement isaccomplished relatively rapidly.

Liquid lubricant or release agent is delivered to the apparatus from anysuitable pressurized source of supply, not shown. Various knownpressurized supply tanks or containers are available on the market andmay be used. While it is desirable that the release agent or lubricantbe maintained under pressure, the pressure need only be sufficient tocause the lubricant to flow through the lines and is not relied upon toeject the lubricant from the spray head. For example, the pressureutilized in the lubricant supply system may be in the order of three tothirty p.s.i.

The liquid lubricant or release agent is delivered from the source ofsupply through a conduit 150 to a control valve 152 shown in FIGS. 4 and5. An outlet of the solenoid-actuated control valve is connected by thepreviously mentioned flexible conduit 94 with the trailing end of thepipe 90 as shown in FIGS. 25.

The various solenoid-actuated liquid and pneumatic valves are controlledby electric circuitry including a master control panel 154 shown in FIG.2 including switch means operated by a timer 156 of known construction.In addition, a limit switch 158 having an operating arm 160 ispositioned above the frame portions 38 and 40 adjacent the outer end ofthe cylinder 54 as shown in FIG. 2 and a similar switch 162 having anactuating arm 164 positioned above the frame members adjacent theforward end of the cylinder. The master control panel 154 is connectedby a cable 166 with the switch 158 and a cable 168 with thesolenoid-actuated liquid control valve 152. This valve is also connectedby a cable 170 with the switch 162. In addit1on, the master controlpanel is connected by a cable 172 with a junction box 174. The junctionbox 174 is connected by a cable 176 with the solenoid 122 of valve 115.Another cable 178 extends from the junction box to the solenoid 128 ofthe valve 126, and still another cable 180 extends from the junction boxto the solenoid valve 142.

The components of the electrical circuitry like those of the pneumaticand liquid circuitry are of known and commercially availablecon-struction. Thus, the details of these circuits may readily bechanged and modified by those skilled in the art and such details neednot be further described herein. It suflices to state that the circuitryis such that the apparatus functions in the following manner. The mastercontrol panel 154 is preferably connected with the actuating circuit ofthe die casting machine 12 by cable 182 so that the operation of thespraying apparatus is synchronized with that of the die casting machine.Thus, when the die casting machine has been actuated so that the diesare open, as shown in FIG. 1, a signal is sent through the cable 182 tothe control panel 154 which is actuated so as to energize the solenoid128 which serves to shift the spring-biased valve 126 from a normalposition in which air under pressure is directed to the forward end ofthe cylinder 54 to a second position in which air is directed throughthe tubing 146 to the outer end of the cylinder. This causes the pistonand the spray head and manifold assembly to advance from the retractedposition shown in FIG. 3 toward the extended position shown in FIG. 1.As discussed hereinabove, this advance initially takes place rapidly butis slowed upon energization of the solenoid valve 142 which is closedupon such energization so as to direct the exhausted air from theforward end of the cylinder through the flow restricting valve 132.

In order to energize the solenoid valve 142 at the proper time and alsoto energize and open the air valve 115 and the lubricant vlave 152 so asto start the spraying operation, the switch 162 is actuated after thespray head and manifold assembly have been advanced to a predeterminedposition. Operating of the switch 162 is accomplished by a cam 184carried by a cam bar 186 which is connected to and movable with thespray head or manifold block 46 as shown best in FIGS. 3-5. The cam bar186 is in the form of a hollow tube positioned above the frame portions38 and 40 and in alignment with the previously mentioned slot 42.Rollers 188 are connected at intervals with the lower side of the cambar 186 and extend into the slot 42 for aiding in guiding and preventingtwisting of the movable head assembly.

The tubular cam bar 186 is provided with a longitudinal slot 190 in theupper side thereof. As indicated in FIGS. 3-5, the cam 184 overlies theslot 190-. Clamping blocks 192 are positioned within the tubular cam barand threadedly engage screws 194 extending through the cam and the slot190. Wtih this arrangement, the cam may be easily and quickly adjustedlongitudinally by loosening the screws 196, sliding the cam to thedesired position and then retightening the screws.

As indicated above, the cam 184 is positioned so as to actuate theswitch 162 for energizing the solenoids of the valves 115, 142 and 152at the desired time for initiating the flow of air and liquid lubricantto the spray heads and for slowing down the rate of travel. The lengthof time which the valve 152 is opened so as to permit the flow oflubricant and further travel of the spray head and manifold assembly iscontrolled by switch means within the master control panel which isoperated by the timer 156. Thus, upon the completion of a predeterminedinterval of time after the switch 162 has been actuated by the cam, thetimer control switches serve to deenergize the solenoid of 'the valve152 and permit the spring-biased valve to close and thereby terminatethe spraying operation. In addition, timer control switch means servesto deenergize the solenoid 128 so as to permit the spring-biased valve126 to shift to its normal position for directing air under pressurethrough the tubing 136 to the forward end of the cylinder 54, whileconnecting the opposite end of the cylinder with the exhaust port,thereby retracting the spray head and manifold assembly. It will benoted that during this time, the air control valve remains open as longas the cam 184 remains in engagement with the actuating lever 164 of theswitch 162. Thus, air continues to flow through the spray heads evenafter the liquid lubricant flow is stopped, and this air serves to aidin cooling and controlling the temperature of the dies. When the sprayhead and manifold assembly has reached the fully retracted position,either the cam 184 or a similar cam element carried by the bar 186engages and actuates the limit switch 158 which serves to actuate thecontrol panel 154 to deenergize the solenoid 122 of the air valve 115and reset the timer and switch means within the control panel for thenext cycle.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown anddescribed herein, it is obvious that many structural details may bechanged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In an apparatus for spraying coating material, the combinationcomprising a coating material manifold, support means connected withsaid manifold and movable along a path of travel through forward andretracting strokes between retracted an dextended positions, acompressed air manifold removably secured against said coating materialmanifold, a plurality of separate spray heads mounted on said airmanifold and arranged in a predetermined pattern, said spray headshaving first and second inlet ports respectively for air and for coatingmaterial, means connecting said first inlet port of each spray head withsaid air manifold, and disconnectable means connecting said second portof each of said spray heads with said coating material manifold so thatthe air manifold and spray heads may be removed and replaced as a unit.

2. A combination, as defined in claim 1, which includes coating materialsupply conduit means connected with said coatingmaterial manifold, airsupply conduit means extending through said coating material manifoldand into said air manifold, and a sealing ring clamped between said airand coating material manifolds around said air conduit means for sealingthe connection between the air conduit means and said air manifold.

3. A combination, as defined in claim 1, which includes coating materialsupply conduit means connected with said coating material manifold, airsupply conduit supply means detachably connected with said air manifold,means for actuating said support means between said positions, andcontrol means for admitting air and coating material to their respectiveconduit means when said support means has been advanced a predetermineddistance and for subsequently stopping the coating material andcontinuing the air for cooling the member being sprayed.

4. A combination, as defined in claim 1, which includes means foractuating said support means between said positions, means for supplyingcoating material to the coating material manifold, means for supplyingcompressed air to said air manifold, and control means for controllingsaid actuating and supplying means, said control means including atubular cam bar movable with said support means and extendinglongitudinally of said path of travel, said bar having a longitudinallyextending slot therein, a cam disposed on said bar, releasable securingmeans extending from said cam through said slot for adjustably securingthe cam at any desired position longitudinally of said bar, and acontrol element mounted adjacent said bar and actuated by said cam.

5. A combination, as defined in claim 4, which includes fixed framemeans disposed along said bar providing a guide, and roller meansmounted on and projecting from said bar and engaging said guide.

6. A combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said air manifoldcomprises interconnected hollow elements extending both generallylongitudinally of and transversely of said path of travel, and saidspray heads being arranged on said air manifold in a pattern extendingboth longitudinally and transversely of said path of travel and inaccordance with the configuration of a member to be sprayed.

7. A combination, as defined in claim 3, wherein said control meanscomprises a first valve for controlling flow of the coating material,the second valve for controlling the how of the air under pressure,means for opening both of said valves for initiating a sprayingoperation, and means including a timer for maintaining the air valveopen after the coating material valve has closed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS EVERETT W. KIRBY, PrimaryExaminer

